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Connemara International Marathon 2005

Interest in the Connemarathon has exploded since its humble beginnings in 2002. It will be held over the weekend of 26th and 27th of March 2005. Go on! Put the Connemara International Marathon in your calendar now. Photo by Joe O'ShaughnessyBook your place today!

A Windy Day in Connemara

Photo by Joe Desbonnet.

Flowers of Connemara

Photo by Joe Desbonnet.

Kylemore Abbey Connemara

Photo by Joe Desbonnet.

Towns and Villages / Islands

Towns and Villages of Connemara

Islands of Connemara

Clifden - The Capital of Connemara

Clifden Village

Clifden is the largest town in Connemara, and viewed as the
region's capital. Founded at the start of the 19th century by local
landlord and sheriff John D'Arcy. Clifden today is a lively spot,
with excellent restaurants and many sociable pubs.

In August the town hosts the Connemara Pony Show, an annual
highlight centred around the distinctive small, sturdy Connemara
Ponies, special to this region. Street traders, exhibitions, bands,
displays of home produce and conventional equestrian events give
this festival a great flavour.

In September its time for the Clifden Country Blues festival and
the Clifden Arts week, two top class festivals. The striking
skyline of Clifden is dominated by the spires of the neo-Gothic
Catholic Church (with its impressive rose windows) and the nearby
Protestant Church. Don't miss the scenic Sky Road circular drive,
along Clifden Bay.

Alcock And Brown

On June 15, 1919 Captain John Alcock (pilot) and Lt. Arthur
Brown (navigator) Flew a Vickers Vimy 1,900 miles from Newfoundland
to Ireland in 6 hours and 12 minutes, flying approximately 120 mph
and landed not firm on the ground but in the Derryimlagh Bog, near
Clifden.

A monument representing the wing of the plane was erected on a
nearby hill, and you can walk along a track to the original landing
site. Located about 3km south of Clifden, the site can be reached
by taking the R341 towards Roundstone. About 2.5km past Clifden is
a signpost indicating the turn-off.

Cleggan

Cleggan is a small fishing village nestling at the head of
Cleggan Bay, on Connemara's Atlantic Coast. This village is the
departure point for ferry services to the islands of Inishbofin and
Inishturk. The outstanding feature of the landscape around Cleggan
is blanket bog. Ireland and Connemara contain the last surviving
bogs in Europe. Few plant species can live in the acid condition of
the bog, but those that can form a vegetation not found outside
Ireland. Between Cleggan and Ballynakill Lough, some 2km to the
east, is a fine collection of prehistoric monuments including
tombs, standing stones and walls.

Oughterard - The Gateway to Connemara

Oughterard is the largest town on the western side of Lough
Corrib. A wide expanse of purple heather and white bog cotton marks
your arrival to the village. The Twelve Bens mountain range
stretches ahead into the distance while the road follows the old
railway line, which once linked the town to Clifden. Surrounded by
trees it has a collection of Georgian houses, built alongside the
few small thatched cottages that still remain in the area.

Roundstone Village

This lovely village at the foot of Errisbeg mountain on the west
side of Roundstone Bay was founded by the celebrated Scottish
Engineer Alexander Nimmo. It is also the location of Roundstone
Music, Crafts and Fashion where handmade bodhrans, one of Ireland?s
most distinctive musical instruments are manufactured. Open 7 days
a week in Summer, closed Sundays in Winter. Visitors are
welcome.

The Irish translation of the name Roundstone is "Cloch na Ron".
The word "Cloch" means stone and the word "ron" means seal and
refers to a time when seal shooting was offered as a tourist
attraction in the area. The sport is now of course banned, but the
harbour where the seals were hunted still attracts people. Now they
go surfing or boating or watch currach races. Today, Roundstone is
a quiet holiday resort beloved by artists and botanists.

Beaches

On the Ballyconeely Road about 3km from Roundstone are the
beautiful sandy beaches of Gurteen Bay and Dog's Bay. Errisbeg
mountain towers over the village. Its easy ascent rewards the
climber with a truly magnificent view of the lake dotted
countryside to the North and the fine seascapes in other
directions.

Inishbofin Island

Inishbofin Island lies off the coast of County Galway and County
Mayo. Although only three miles long, Inishbofin has many
attractions; scenery, fishing, sailing and swimming. It is also
rich in archaeology and geology. Inifhbofin has a population of
almost 200 people, two hotels, a pub, a hostel, two shops and
several B&B's and guesthouses.

The Island has wonderful cliff scenery, with blowholes and sea
stacks as well as a magnificent safe beach and clean water.
Inishbofin's archaeological treasures include the promontory fort,
Dun Grainne and Don Bosco's ancient castle, which overlooks the
harbour. Towards the East End are the remains of a 13th century
church on the site where St Colman founded a monastery in the 7th
century. Its graveyard has many relics. In the 16th century a
Spanish pirate Don Bosco, who was an ally of Granuaile, the famous
Irish pirate queen, occupied Inishbofin. In Cromwellian times the
island was used as a barracks. Inishbofin today is a warm,
welcoming place. There are regular sailings to Inishbofin from
Clogging during the summer.

Inchagoill Island

Inchagoill Island, located midway between Cong (Mayo) and
Oghterard (Galway), is one of the largest of many wooded islets
along Lough Corrib. The island has spectacular views of the
Maumturk range. Joyce Country and the mountains of Connemara, and
it is also home to two ancient venerated sites, set close together
in its woods' St Patrick's Church believed to have been erected in
the 5th century and the tiny 12th century Church of the Saints.
There are secluded beaches and enchanting woods with a variety of
walks around the island.